A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Learners' Decision-making, Anxiety, and Task Load During a Simulated Airway Crisis Using Two Difficult Airway Aids.

Introduction: The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) difficult airway algorithm and the Vortex approach are difficult airway aids. Our objective was to demonstrate that a simpler cognitive model would facilitate improved decision-making during a process such as difficult airway management. We hypothesized the simpler Vortex approach would be associated with less anxiety and task load.